Iberia debuts gate-to-gate Starlink Wi-Fi on first aircraft
Spanish flag carrier Iberia has operated its first aircraft equipped with free high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi, becoming the first Spanish airline to introduce SpaceX’s low Earth orbit satellite connectivity technology.
The first aircraft to feature the system, an Airbus A330 registered EC-MAA, departed Madrid-Barajas Airport on a flight to São Paulo. The airline said the new connectivity service provides faster and more reliable internet access than traditional onboard systems, allowing passengers to remain connected throughout the entire journey.
The service will be available free of charge to passengers travelling in Economy, Premium Economy and Business cabins.
Iberia said customers will be able to access internet speeds of up to 500 Mbps, supporting activities including video calls, live streaming, online gaming, remote working and simultaneous use across multiple devices.
Unlike conventional onboard Wi-Fi systems, Starlink uses a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites to deliver lower latency and higher bandwidth.
Connectivity will also be available from boarding until arrival, providing a gate-to-gate internet experience.
Beatriz Guillén, Iberia’s director of customer experience, said: “We know that staying connected gate-to-gate is very important for our customers, whether they are travelling for business or leisure, and, thanks to this new service, we will significantly enhance their onboard experience. Furthermore, this project reflects our commitment to innovation and digitalisation, two key pillars of Flight Plan 2030.”
The rollout follows the strategic partnership signed between IAG and Starlink in late 2025 and forms part of Iberia’s Flight Plan 2030 strategy, which includes €6 billion of investment across customer experience, artificial intelligence (AI), fleet renewal and the development of Ciudad Iberia, the airline’s planned aviation innovation hub.